Captive plastic seal

ABSTRACT

A seal comprising a sealing ring of deformable sealing material having inner and outer peripheral surfaces and inner and outer retainer rings. Each of the retainer rings is concave in axial cross section and is resiliently deformable in the radial direction.

United States Patent Dryer 5] Nov. 11, 1975 [5 CAPTIVE PLASTIC SEAL 3.355.181 11/1967 Olson 277/181) 3. 2 21'1' ..Z 235X [75] Inventor: Eldon O. Dryer, MaI1bu,Cal1f. 48] 613 1 H969 H 77/ [73] Assignee: W.S. Shamban 8; C0., West Los FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Angele$- Calif- 1.477.551 3/1967 France 277/1140 [22] Filed: June 17, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 480,051 Fri/710111 E.\'un1i/ze/'Samuel B. Rothberg A ',A .'F'-S 'th, F. Related Us. Application Data nor/1e gun 0/ 11m my George [62] Division of Ser. No. 287.045. Sept. 7. 1972.

52 us. 01. 277/167.5; 277/235 R [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. F16.] 15/12 A Seq] Com i prlsmg a sealing rmg of deformable sealing [58] F'eld of Search 277/1675" 235 material having inner and outer peripheral surfaces 285/336 and inner and outer retainer rings. Each of the re- 5 f tainer rings is concave in axial cross section and is re- 6] Re erences cued siliently deformable in the radial direction.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.764.311 9/1956 Blackman 277/1675 5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures JF T 49 /7 gg/ a "3 5/ 37 Z;

US. Patent N'ov.l1, 1975 Sheet10f3 3,918,725

MMW

US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 2 of3 [3,918,725

us. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 31mm 3,918,725

CAPTIVI'I PLASTIC SEAL CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 287,045, filed on Sept. 7. 1972 for CAPTIVE PLAS- TIC SEAL.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A captive seal is one in which a sealing material is completely confined and compressively loaded beyond its yield point. The compressive loading causes the sealing material to flow into the minute crevices and surface irregularities of the confining walls to form a tight seal. One advantage of captive seals is that the surfaces which confine the seal need not have a good finish.

The sealing material can be any material which will deform under load. However. metals generally require too much stress to cause them to flow sufficiently and more ductile metals may tend to work harden. Elastomers can be used; however, their temperature range is limited, and they are subject to attack by various solvents and chemicals. Elastomers become extremely brittle at very low temperatures and cannot be used for cryogenic applications. Fluoro-plastics such as Teflon do not possess the disadvantages noted above, and for this reason are preferred. Captive plastic seal constructions are shown, for example, in Us. Pat. Nos. 3,572,735 and 3,594,022.

One problem with captive plastic seals is to make certain that the sealing material is compressively loaded well above its yield point. If the requisite compressive load is lost, the sealing material will not be forced into the surface irregularities and leakage may result. Compressive loading may be reduced, for example, when the temperature is substantially reduced.

According to the present invention, the cavity for the sealing material is defined, in part, by an element which reduces the volume of the cavity in response to reduction in the compressive stress on the sealing material. This is accomplished without using intricate, wave-like spring strips within the sealing material. Rather, the present invention employs a spring element which is loaded when the sealing material is compressively loaded. The spring element is configured and positioned so that it loads the sealing material as it resiliently deforms. Thus, if the compressive stress in the sealing material is reduced, the resilient spring element expands to take up some ofthe relaxation in the sealing material.

The spring element can advantageously take the form of a ring which defines a cavity in axial cross section. Loading of the ring element is in a direction which tends to flatten the cross section of the spring element, i.e., to reduce the cavity depth. Thus. the spring element is not of intricate shape and is not bent back on itself when in use.

A sea] is ordinarily used in a groove formed between two members and the interface between these two members communicates with the groove. As the sealing material is to be substantially compressively loaded, it is necessary to block off or isolate the groove from the interface to prevent the sealing material from extruding into the interface. This can advantageously be accomplished by retainer rings.

Another feature of the present invention is to combine the function of the spring element as discussed above with one or both ofthc retainer rings. When this is done. each of the retainer rings is concave in axial cross section so that it can carry out the spring functions noted above. In addition. each of the retainer rings is positioned in confronting relationship to the interface between the two members so that it can function as an extrusion prevention device.

The retainer rings can advantageously be formed of metal. The sealing material is preferably a fluoroplastic such as Teflon. The sealing ring may be an integral mass or may be in multiple masses divided along a circumferentially extending line or plane. The sealing ring can advantageously have inner and outer cavities for cooperating with the inner and outer retainer rings.respectively, to thereby mount the retainer rings on the sealing ring to form a sealing assembly.

Another feature of the present invention relates to the coaction between the seal groove and the retainer rings. The seal groove can advantageously include a pair of axially spaced end walls and a pair of radially spaced circumferentially extending walls. One of the members defines a first of the end wallsand sections of the inner and outer circumferentially extending walls.

radial direction at the interface between the two members.

The invention can be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a flanged pipe connection using a seal constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 with the bolts of the flanged fitting being relatively loose so that the sealing ring is not under compressive load.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 2 with the bolts tightened to compressively load the sealing ring.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 ofa second embodiment of seal constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention with the sealing ring being substantially uncompressed.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of the second embodiment with the sealing ring substantially compressively loaded.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of a third embodiment of seal constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention with the sealing ring substantially uncompressed. v

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing the third embodiment of the invention with the sealing ring compressively loaded to effect a seal.

FIG. 1 shows a pair of flanged pipes 11 and 13 having confronting flanges 15 and 17. respectively. which are interconnected by a plurality of bolts 19 and nuts 21 (FIG. 2). With reference to FIG. 2, the flanges 15 and 17 cooperate to define an annular seal groove 23. Specifically. the flange 15 defines an end wall 25 and radially spaced. circumferentially extending wall sections 27 and 29, and the flange 17 similarly defines an end wall 31 and radially spaced. circumferentially extending wall sections 33 and 35. The end walls 25 and 31 are axially spaced.

The flanged pipes 11 and 13 define a passage extending therethrough. The flanges 15 and 17 are arranged in confronting relationship and the region be tween the pipes is an interface 32.

A seal 37 is positioned in the groove 23. The seal 37 includes a sealing ring 39 and a pair of retainer rings or elements 41 and 43 which also serve as spring elements for assisting to provide a resilient load on the sealing ring. The sealing ring 39 is preferably constructed of a fluoro-plastic such as Teflon. The sealing ring 39 extends continuously completely around the passage 30 with the cross section shown in FIG. 2 being typical. In the embodiment illustrated, the sealing ring 39 has flat end faces adapted to engage the end walls 25 and 31, respectively. and circumferentially extending inner and outer peripheral surfaces defining inner and outer cavities 45 and 47, respectively. The cavities 45 and 47 open inwardly and outwardly, respectively, and the sealing ring 39 is symmetrical in axial cross section about a central longitudinal axis which bisects its cross section. Each of the inner and outer cavities 45 and 47 is formed by an arcuate portion of the peripheral surfaces of the sealing ring, and in the embodiment illustrated, such arcuate surfaces form portions of a circle in axial cross section.

The retainer rings 41 and 43 are constructed of a suitable resilient metal such as a high strength. corrosion resistant steel and are adapted to confront and span the interface 32. Each of the retainer rings 41 and 43 extends continuously completely around the passage 30 with the cross section shown in FIG. 2 being typical. The retainer rings 41 and 43 are concave with the concavities opening inwardly and outwardly, respectively. Each of the retainer rings is in the form of a metal strip. the cross section of which is concave. Each of the retainer elements 41 and 43 has concave surfaces 49 and 51 with the concave surfaces 49 being seated in the concavities 45 and 47, respectively, and with the concave surfaces 51 opening radially in a direction away from the sealing ring 39.

In the position shown in FIG. 2, the bolts 19 and the nuts 21 are relatively loose and the sealing ring 39 is under no significant axial load. In this condition, the retainer rings 41 and 43 maybe slightly spaced from or loosely engage the circumferentially extending wall sections 27, 33 and 29, 35.

When the nuts 21 are tightened as shown in FIG. 3, the flanges 15 and 17 and hence the end walls 25 and 31 are drawn closer together. This applies an axial compressive load to the sealing ring 39 which is sufficient to caus'e'plastic flow of the sealing ring 39. Specifically, the sealing ring 39 is axially compressed and radially expanded. The radial expansion of the sealing ring 39 forces the retainer rings 41 and 43 radially inwardly and radially outwardly. respectively. and-into tight engagement with their circumferentially extending wall sections 27, 33 and 29, 35. As radial expansion of the sealing ring 39 continues. the radial forces applied to the retainer elements 41 and 43 tends to flatten them and the retainer elements resiliently resist being flattened. Also, the radial expansion of the sealing ring 39 places hoop stresses in the retainer ring 43 and circumferential compressive stresses in the retainer ring 41, and this further causes the retainer rings to resiliently resist plastic flow of the sealing ring.

With the nuts 21 tightened as shown in FIG. 3 to bring the flanges l5 and 17 into engagement. the surfaces 49 of the retainer rings 41 and 43 and the end walls 25 and 31 define a completely enclosed cavity to captivate or contain the sealing ring 39. The compression of the sealing ring 39 is sufficient to cause the material to flow into all of the very minute surface irregu-. larities of the end walls 25 and 31 and of the surfaces 49 to thereby form a very right seal. In addition, the cavity is resiliently radially expanded by the axially compressive force on the sealing ring 39 in that the retainer rings 41 and 43 are partially resiliently flattened.

Thus, any relaxation or loss of compression stress in the sealing element 39 is at least partially taken up by resilient expansion of the retainer rings 41 and 43. Such relaxation of the sealing ring 39 may occur, for example, when the pipes 11 and 13 are used to carry cryogenic liquids. Thus, the cavity for the sealing ring 39 is, in effect, shrinkable in response to reduction of compressive stress in the sealing ring 39 to thereby tend to maintain the requisite compressive stress in the sealing ring. In addition to the function described above, the retainer rings 41 and 43 prevent extrusion of the sealing ring 39 into the interface 32.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a seal 39a which forms a second embodiment of the present invention. Portions of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 corresponding to portions of the embodiment of FIGS. l-3 are designated by corresponding reference numerals followed by the letter a. The embodiment of FIGS. 45 is substantially identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 except that the sealing ring 39a includes a pair of sealing ring sections 51 and 53 and the seal cavity or groove of FIG..4 is longer and narrower than the seal cavity of FIG. 2. The embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 adapts the concepts of FIGS. 1-3 to an elongated seal groove. In addition, the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 is particularly adapted for smaller diameter flanges. With the seal 37a in the relaxed or uncompressed position shown in FIG. 4, the sealing ring sections 51 and 53 are axially separated, but they do cooperate to define an inner cavity 450 and an outer cavity 47a. The retainer rings 41a and 43a are seated in the cavities 45a and 47a, respectively.

When the nuts 21a are tightened, the end walls 25a and 31a are drawn closer together to thereby axially advance the sealing ring sections 51 and 53 toward each other. The sloping arcuate surfaces which define the cavities 45a and 470 are, therefore, brought closer together and cam the retainer elements 41a and 43a tightly against the circumferentially extending wall sections 27a, and 33a and 29a, 35a. Upon further movement of the end walls 25a and 31a toward each other. the sealing ring sections 51 and 53 are brought into engagement and plastic flow thereof is initiated. This results in radial expansion of the sealing ring sections 51 and 53 which tends to flatten the retainer rings 41a and 43a and to make the sealing ring 39a appear as an integral mass as shown in FIG. S. The retainer rings 41a and 43a function in the same manner as described hereinabove with reference to the retainer. rings 41 and 43 (FIGS. I- 3).

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the pres ent invention which is identical to the embodiment of FIGS. I-3 except to the extent shown or described herein. Portions of the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 corresponding to portions of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 are designated by corresponding reference numerals followed by the letter b. The primary purpose of the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 is to adapt the concepts of FIGS. 1-3 to a ring joint groove. i.e.. a groove with tapered sides.

The flanges b and 17!; are identical to the flanges 15 and 17 except that the former provide a seal groove 23b of different construction and radii 57 are more generous than the corresponding radii of the flanges 15 and 17 of FIGS. l-3. The groove 23b differs from the groove 23 in that the circumferentially extending wall sections 27b, 29b and 33b, 35b are inclined toward each other as they extend toward their respective end walls b and 31b. In addition, the ratio of the axial dimension of the groove 23b is greater than the corresponding ratio of the groove 23.

The seal 37b includes a sealing ring 39b which is of somewhat different shape than the sealing ring 39. Specifically, the sealing ring 39b is longer axially than the sealing 39 and the cavities 45b and 47b are more shallow.

Each of the retainer rings 41b and 43b has a concave portion 59 which cooperate with the cavities 45b and 47b, respectively, to mount the retainer rings on the sealing ring 39b. In addition, each of the retainer elements 41b and 43b has a pair of axial flanges 61 and 63,

each of which is cylindrical. The flanges 61 and 63 are separated from the sealing ring 39b by circumferentially extending gaps.

In the position shown in FIG. 6, the sealing ring 3% is uncompressed and the ends of the flanges 61 and 63 engage the radii 57, respectively. As the flanges 15b and 17b are moved closer together in the manner described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the flanges 61 are cammed toward each other by the circumferentially extending wall sections 33b and b, and the wall sections 27b and 29b similarly cam the flanges 63 radially toward each other. The initial movement of the flanges 61 toward each other and of the flanges 63 toward each other is unrestrained except by the inherent resilience of the retainer rings 41b and 43b. Ultimately, however, the sealing ring 39b is squeezed between the flanges 61 and the flanges 63, and in addition, the sealing ring 39b is axially compressed and radially expanded by the end walls 25b and 31b.

In the position shown in FIG. 7, the sealing ring 39b has been caused to assume the general configuration of an I in cross section with the central portion of the I including a bulged region 65. In addition, the sealing ring 39b includes flanges 67 which engage the opposite ends of the retainer elements 41b and 43b. The volume of the cavity 23b relative to the volume of seal ring 39b is such that the concave portions 59 become resiliently flattened and ultimately inverted as permitted by the space defined by the radii 57. In the position shown in FIG. 7, the retainer rings 41b and 43b resiliently retain and load the sealing ring 39.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described. many changes. modifications and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim: H

1. In combination:

first and second members defining an annular groove with said groove having axially spaced end walls and radiallyspaced circumferential walls;

a seal in said groove;

said seal including sealing ring means for circum scribing at'least a portion of at least one of said members, an inner retainer ring. and an outer retainer ring;

said sealing ring means being constructed of a deformable sealing material and having inner and outer peripheral surfaces;

at least a portion of each of said retainer rings being concave in axial cross section with each of such concavities opening radially; and

said retainer rings each being independently resil iently deformable in the radial direction whereby upon axial compression and consequent radial expansion of the sealing ring means the retainer rings resiliently resist said radial expansion of the sealing ring means.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said deformable material is a plastic material and each of said retainer rings is constructed at least in substantial part of metal.

3. In combination:

first and second members defining an annular groove with said groove having axially spaced end walls and radially spaced circumferential walls;

one of said members defining a first of said axially spaced end walls and sections of said radially spaced circumferential walls, said members being movable toward each other to reduce the axial spacing between said end walls;

said sections of said circumferential walls being inclined toward each other as they extend toward said first end wall;

a seal in said groove including a sealing ring of deformable sealing material, an inner plate-like retainer ring, and an outer plate-like retainer ring, both located adjacent to said sealing ring to form a seal assembly, said sealing ring and said retainer rings being generally concentrically arranged; and

each of said retainer rings being independent of the other and resiliently deformable in the radial direction whereby. upon movement of said members toward each other, said sealing ring is axially compressed and radially expanded and regions of said retainer rings are cammed radially toward each other by said section of said circumferential walls, each of said retainer rings independently resiliently resisting said radial expansion of the sealing ring.

4. A combination as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said retainer rings has at least one indentation therein which is at least partially received by a cavity in said sealing ring to thereby join said retainer rings and said sealing ring to form said sealing assembly.

5. In combination:

first and second members defining an annular groove with said groove having axially spaced end walls and radially spaced circumferentially walls, the in- 7 8 i c terlace between said members extending along said said spring element being in the form of a ring and grimw; being substantially concentric with said sealing ring u m in said gnmw; means and said retainer ring means: and

said spring element being concave in axial cross secsaid seal including sealing ring means in said groove for cir'cumscribing at least a portion ofat least one of said members retainer ring means along said interface for preventing extrusion of said sealing ring means into said interface, and a spring element;

said sealing ring means being constructed in su'nstan- 5 tion and being arranged in said groove sothat movement of said members toward each other to cause plastic flow of the sealing ring means tends to spring element toward a flat condition whereby upon any relaxation of said sealing ring means, said resiliently deform the concave cross section of said tial part of deformable sealing material, said memspring element resiliently expands to maintain h rs ng movable toward each Other t0 Q P stantial compressive load on said sealing ring sively load the sealing ring means to cause plastic means. flow thereof; l l 

1. In combination: first and second members defining an annular groove with said groove having axially spaced end walls and radially spaced circumferential walls; a seal in said groove; said seal including sealing ring means for circumscribing at least a portion of at least one of said members, an inner retainer ring, and an outer retainer ring; said sealing ring means being constructed of a deformable sealing material and having inner and outer peripheral surfaces; at least a portion of each of said retainer rings being concave in axial cross section with each of such concavities opening radially; and said retainer rings each being independently resiliently deformable in the radial direction whereby upon axial compression and consequent radial expansion of the sealiNg ring means the retainer rings resiliently resist said radial expansion of the sealing ring means.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said deformable material is a plastic material and each of said retainer rings is constructed at least in substantial part of metal.
 3. In combination: first and second members defining an annular groove with said groove having axially spaced end walls and radially spaced circumferential walls; one of said members defining a first of said axially spaced end walls and sections of said radially spaced circumferential walls, said members being movable toward each other to reduce the axial spacing between saiD end walls; said sections of said circumferential walls being inclined toward each other as they extend toward said first end wall; a seal in said groove including a sealing ring of deformable sealing material, an inner plate-like retainer ring, and an outer plate-like retainer ring, both located adjacent to said sealing ring to form a seal assembly, said sealing ring and said retainer rings being generally concentrically arranged; and each of said retainer rings being independent of the other and resiliently deformable in the radial direction whereby, upon movement of said members toward each other, said sealing ring is axially compressed and radially expanded and regions of said retainer rings are cammed radially toward each other by said section of said circumferential walls, each of said retainer rings independently resiliently resisting said radial expansion of the sealing ring.
 4. A combination as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said retainer rings has at least one indentation therein which is at least partially received by a cavity in said sealing ring to thereby join said retainer rings and said sealing ring to form said sealing assembly.
 5. In combination: first and second members defining an annular groove with said groove having axially spaced end walls and radially spaced circumferentially walls, the interface between said members extending along said groove; a seal in said groove; said seal including sealing ring means in said groove for circumscribing at least a portion of at least one of said members, retainer ring means along said interface for preventing extrusion of said sealing ring means into said interface, and a spring element; said sealing ring means being constructed in substantial part of deformable sealing material, said members being movable toward each other to compressively load the sealing ring means to cause plastic flow thereof; said spring element being in the form of a ring and being substantially concentric with said sealing ring means and said retainer ring means; and said spring element being concave in axial cross section and being arranged in said groove so that movement of said members toward each other to cause plastic flow of the sealing ring means tends to resiliently deform the concave cross section of said spring element toward a flat condition whereby upon any relaxation of said sealing ring means, said spring element resiliently expands to maintain substantial compressive load on said sealing ring means. 